Clutch



K. MILLER Oct. 7, 1941.

CLUTCH Filed Sept. 2a, 1940 clutch, the term preloaded signifying that upon engagement of the clutch said spring means "the pressure plate and changing the clutch takeis subjected to further compression, and it is this increased spring pressure that is effective on the g pressure plate holding the clutch diskl'5 iengaged between the flywheel andpressure. pace.- The stacked spring washer assemblies 35, ofwh ich there are preferably eight are arranged all'on the same radius and in equallycircu'mferentially spaced relation. The pressure plate has. circular depressions 36 cored in the back face thereof'to deceive. the same; with ample working, clearance -,left around. the peripheries of, the washers. Flat ,raisbd' seats 3! are provided on'the pressure plate in the centers of these depressions 35 forithe springswasherjassemblies '35, and the ring' 30 has portions of the web 34 thereof struckfoutwardly; to provide, raised seats 38. in register. with the seats 31,-,for engagement with the opposite side; of thelspring washer. assemblies 35 at the centers thereof. isemblies 35,, as disclosed in. the copendingz application, provides an initialor preload spring .pressureof say .130 ,lbs., and in the engagement of .the;.clutch;the.;washers are compressed fur- ,therto. exerteabout 260 .lbs.; pressure, .060 travel 'being- .r'equireduto change fromthe preload'pres- .sure .totheengagement pressure,. so that a few thousandthsfof an inch .wearcon. the clutch disk 'facings' will not be. noticeableiandcannot seri- ;ously.afiect thexoperation .ofethe: clutch. Atakei :ment; however; is to advance the pressure plate -:assembly in relation-to the engaging -'mean's -an amount approximately the equivalent (of I the amount et -wea on the-facing's so that: one may obt'ain again the original engagingi'pre'ssure, re-

-gardless:of the wear.

The actuating levers 22 are or "two-piece stamped sheet metal construction, as clearly appearslin Figsv2 and lthepieces being -bent so asito providea forked-end 43 to mount the three compound I rollers 44, 45, and 46 therein by means koftheir 'trunnions, numbered 41; 48, J and 49 re- :spe'ctivelyl -The lever pie ce's are, riveted' together -at' the middle, as indicated at 50,-asing1e-rivet .being--sufiicient.- A-bearing-hole is-provided in thebther -end ofthe lever 22 remote -from the rollersto receive apin 52 adapted to" work inu-the slots-53 in the forkedportion- 54 on the'throwout collar 55. The latter -is: operable backand for th -by a two pie'ce. ring 56 fitting' oven a flange ontthe collar andprovided-with trunnions 5'l-for" coop'e-ration withxthe usual 1 yoke or other clutch -operatirig4means. The -roller '2 44 I is annularly grooved, as clearly appearsiat-.58,iso .as to. define spaced concentric flanges 59 between the. :trun- Each. of the spring washer as-:

side, as indicated at 69, so that the flanges 59 can straddle the peripheral portion of an arcuate cam 6| carried in a sheet metal ring 62 of channel-shaped cross-section mounted on the ring 38 on the pressure plate 20. The ring 62 is pressed into place over the inner flange 63 of the ring 35 and it has a small cylindrical boss 54 struck therefrom at one point to enter a hole in the web 34 of the ring so as to eliminate any likelihood of the ring 62 turning with respect to up adjustment. As disclosed in the copending application, there are four of these arcuate cams 51, onefor' each of four actuating levers 22, and

these cams are, formed from straight strips r'sta'rnped from 'sheet metal and subsequently formed to the desired arcuate shape.

The inclined surface 65 onleach cam provides the desired helical cam surface, which when the rollers 44 that form the fulcrums for the levers 22 are slid along the (la-H156! serve to change the relationshipbetween the levers'22; and the spring .means35 and pressure plate 20 to compensate for wear on the clutch disk facings, I'l. Thecams EI are adapted-to be entered withflapress fitin the channel of-the ring 62.- The pin 52 is machined flat on one side at both ends in the same plane, as indicated at 6', whereby to fit slidably and nonerotatably in the slots 53 while'still providing the intermediate cylindrical, bearing portion; 68 to fitin the bearing hole 5| on the lever 22, but present shoulders 69 for engagement with theisidesz 11 the forked. portion 54 on thethrowout; collar 55 and thuskeep the pin from drift- I .ingendwisefrom its assembled position.

The rollers, itshonld be. clear, is non-rotatablybut slidably mounted on the cam 6| to serve as a fulcrum for ,the lever 22; The trunnions 41 and the roller'44 enter notches 10 in the forked portion of the lever. The next roller 45 fits intheggroove 58 of the roller 44and has working clearance between the flanges 59. The trunnions 48 whichextend through holes 'H in theforked portion 43 of the lever have rolling engagement uni-the peripheryofthe flanges 59, as indicated .at:12.- The other roller 46. is annularly grooved like theroller 44,, as indicated at 13, to provide .parallel.concentric'rflanges '14 between the trunnions 49 and on opposite sides of a central axle portion 15 arranged to roll on the periphery of -the1 roller.4 5, as indicated at 11.1; ThetrunniOns ,:49 extendthroughaholes 18 inthe forked portion ..43,of'the.lever. 22; .I The flanges. 14 are arranged "to? roll .onzthe fiat. face .19 of a hardened steel p1ate280ariveted 'or otherwise suitably secured to :a-sheet metal;;r1'ng:8l of channel-shaped crosssectionslidable in an annular seat 82 provided itherefor in ;the';dished portion of the back plate -2I. Theiring 8| has its inner flange 83 slotted, as at184, at four pointsfin equally circumferentiallyspaceid relation to receive and guide four leversi22..= The...outer flange 85 ides the edge thereof notched, as. at 86,'to receive the end of a set screw; .81 threaded in'the backplate 2|, in any one of thesenotches, when the ring BI is turned :inxthe ttake-up adjustment. .Manifestly the turning of the ringfll results in the movement of the levers22 with it so thatthe rollers 44 formingifulcrums forthe levers areslid'along the. cams .6 I J for 'the take-up adjustment p'reviouslypdescribed. .K'I'he 'notches 86 "are closely spaced so. that'a rather 'fine" adjustment is permitted. f" 1 J. W

In operation, when the lever 22 are moved in -nions4l. fmhevzrollernis.slotted lengthwise on one :a clockwise direction about the rollers 44 as fuL stage of necessary reduction, rollers 4 4-46 are-so proportionedthat-thereis crums, the rollers v4.5 and -46 cooperating 1 with the roller 44 in each of the leversll; ive the desired anti-friction rolling Operat on. roller 46 rolls onthesurface 'lll 'of thering-Bflbymeans tithe flanges 59 ofthe; roller 44 tor the. second The compound substanti lly no sliding iriction at the 12 and H. Furthermore allot the-tellers are of large enough diametersso that none-of the roll- .ers makes more than asmall fraction oi .a:turn in the movement from one extreme position to l the ether nd e llPQh h parts is c rdinglv reduced to a minimum. The load i $0 well dis.-

.trlbuted between thecompound tellers at the points", 11, and 19 that the unit bearingpressu e s reduced to a very-small fra tionof what was obtained with other constructions, thus turthe! reducing wear and making for easier operation. fI'he roller-trunnionsfl, 48 and 49 have suifici ently ample working clearance in the e notches l0 and holes H :an "so that there is no tendency to bind, the rollers being. thereiore free to adjustthemselves in ;-relation. to the lever 22 to have proper bearing engagement upon one another and transmit load from one-to the other through the train of three rollers substantially independently of thelever, the lever-merely actin as a retaining ca e forthe rollers.

. It should be clear from this description that I have provided an unusually practical and efilcient design of overt-center clutch; and one which may be manufactured at low costandis .adapted to be adjusted by relatively unskilled workmen withoutdifflculty.

It is believed. the fo egoing description conveys a good understanding .of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims have beendrawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1.111 a friction clutch, the combination with a flywh e st tut n the dr vin element a d a clutch disk constituting the driven .element of. a

back plate in fixed axially spaced relationjto the flywheel, a pressure plate turning withthe back plate and movable toward andaway from the same in the disengagement and engagementof the clutch, respectively, and positive action overcenter means for moving the pressure plate away from the back plate to engage the clutch comprising one or more bell-crank levers, a fulcrum for each of said levers on the pressure plate, a roller rotatably mounted on each of said levers rollingly engaging an abutment on the back plate; and at least one intermediate roller rotatably mounted on each ofsaid levers having rolling engagement on the one hand with the fullcrums and on the other hand with the last-mentioned rollers to transmitthrough such rolling engagement the load fromthe-first-mentioned, I rollers to the fulcrumssubstantially independently oi the levers.

.2. In a friction clutch, the combination with-a flywheel constituting the driving=element and a clutch disk constituting the driven element of a back plate in fixed axially spaced relation to the "flywheel, a pressure plate turning with the back plate 1 and. movable toward and away from the .same in the. disengagement :and engagement. .of title clutch, respectively, and positive action over.-

the roller rollson the periphery oi the roller lfi for the first. stageiof necessa reduction. The trunnions -48 of the roller. 45 roll on the-periphery cente meehs,.. ,er hevihathemeseure plate wa rom th he pla t en get e clut h comprising o o more leeH eranh lev rae ulc um for each o sai l vers :th rreesur at a m und te ler tetetehlrvmegnted on ea said lev r vihgte he eng ement o on d met r wi h at abutment .enhe h ck la e, and t l a hecthe e mpeuhd el er r ta b y mounted o eac o se .ev reb en th u ums and h .lirst-ment ened roller ha n l ihgi nea emen en th d ameter w t th fi s ent o e t l -an on ano he diameter with t ful ums t ansmit hrou u h ro nt -mean mov n t e. pre su e p a away.

from e b ck plate o en a e he cl tc c p s n n o mo e b l rank leve s a fulerum for each of said levers on oneof said plates, a roller rotatably mounted on each, of saidlevers rollinglyengaging an abutment on the other of said plates, and ,at least one intermediate roller rotatably mounted on each of said levers having rolling engagement on the one hand with the fulcrums and. on the other hand with the lastmentioned rollers to transmit through such rolling engagement the load from the first-mentioned rollers to the fulcrums substantially independently .of the levers.

4. In a friction clutch, the combination with a flywheel constituting the driving element and a lu ch d on t utin thefl iv h e emen of a back plate in fixed axially spaced relation to the flywheel, a pressure plate turning with the back plate and movable toward and away from the same in the disengagement and engagement of the clutch respectively, and positive action over-center means for moving the pressure plate away from the back plate to engage the clutch comprising one or more bell-crank levers, a. fulcrum for each of said levers on one of said plates, a compound roller rotatably mounted on each of said levers having rolling engagement on one diameterwith an abutment on the back plate, and at least one other compound roller rotatably mounted on each of saidlevers between the fulcrums and the first-mentioned rollers having rolling engagement on one diameter with the first-mentioned rollers andon another diameter with the fulcrums to transmitthrough such rolling engagement the load from the first-mentioned rollers to the fulcrums substantially independently of the levers.

5. In a friction-clutch, the combination with a fiywheel constituting-the drivingelement and a clutch disk constituting the driven element of a back plate in fixedaxially spaced relation to the flywheel, a pressure-plate turning with the back plate and movable'toward and away from the same in the disengagement'and engagement of the clutch, respectively, and positive action overcenter lneans for moving the pressure plate awayfrom the back plate. to engage the clutch comprising one or more bell-crank .levers,la compound roller with-respect tto whichneach .of said levers ;is*fu1crumed. =on the pressure plate, a. second compound roller rotatably mounted on each of said levers and rollingly engaging an abutment onthe back plate on thelarge diameter, and at least one intermediate compound" roller on each of said levers between the first and second compound rollers rollingly engaging the large diameterof the fulcrum roller on the small diameter of the intermediate rollerand rollingly engaging the small diameterofthe second complate and movable toward and away from the same in the disengagement and engagement of the clutch, respectively, and positive action overcenter means for moving thepressur'e plate away from the back plate to engage the clutch comprising one or more bell-crank levers, a compound roller Withrespect to which each of-said levers is fulcrumed on one of said plates,'a second compound roller rotatably mounted on each of said levers and rollingly engaging an abutment onthe other of'said plates on thelarge diameter, and at least one intermediate compound roller on each "of said levers between the first and second compound rollers rollingly en-. gaging the large diameter of the fulcrum roller on the small diameter. of the intermediate roller and rollingly engaging the small diameter of the second compound roller on the large diameter of the intermediate roller, to' transmit through such rolling engagement the load from the second-mentioned compound rollers to the fulcrum rollers substantially independently of the levers. V

' 7. As an article of manufacture, an actuating lever for an over-center clutch comprising a bellcrank lever andthree compound rollers rotatably mounted in inter-engaging relationship on one of the arms of said levers, each roller having two diameters, one larger than the other, the'first of said rollers having the large diameter portion thereof projecting fromsaid lever for engagement with a bearing surface in the clutch, the second of said rollers having its large diameter portion rollingly engaging the small diameter portion of the first roller, the second roller having the small diameter thereof rollingly engaging the large diameter portion of the third-compound roller, and the third compound roller being adapted to pivotally support the lever on another clutch part movable toward and away from the first clutch part.

8. An article of manufacture as set forth'in claim 7, wherein the lever is made in two'parts providing spaced portions between which the rollers are rotatably mounted, each of the-rollers having axial trunnions received in holes: provi-ded therefor in said spaced portions.

9. An article of manufacture as set forth 'in claim 7, wherein the lever is made in two parts providing spaced portions between which the rollers are rotatably mounted, each of the rollers having axial trunnions received in holes provided therefor in said spaced portions, the intermediate roller having .the trunnions thereof of the same diameter as the small diameter'portion 'engage'ment with the; other of said members to cause Indvement of oneof said members relative to the otheiflQa fulcrum for said lever on the first mericana. roller rotatablymounted on the lever rollingly engaging Jan abutment on the other member, and at least one intermediate roller rotatably mounted onsaid lever having rolling engagement on'the 'one hand with the fulcrum and on theother handwith the last-mentioned roller 'to transmit'throughsuch rolling engagement the load fromthe firstmentioned roller to the fulsubstantially independently of the lever.

11I' As'a new mechanicalmovement, the combi'nation with' two members arranged to be moved with respect to one anotheryof a bell-crank lever pi'voted on onesaid members and arranged by engagement'withjthe other of said members to cause movement of one of said members relative to the other, afulcrum" for said lever on the first member, a'compo'undroller rotatably mounted on said lever having rolling engagement on one diameter with-an-abutment on the other member, and at least one other compound roller rotatably mounted on'the lever between the fulcrum and the'first roller having rolling engagement on one diameter'with the first-mentioned roller and on another'diameter with the fulcrum to transmit through such rolling engagement the load fromthe firstmentionedroller to the fulcrum substantially-independently of the lever.

12. As a new mechanical movement, the combination with two members arranged to be moved with respect to one another, ofa bell-crank lever pivotedon one of said members and arranged by "engagement with the other of said members to cause movement of one of said members relative to the otherya compound roller with respect to which said lever is fulcrumed' on the first member, a second compound roller rotatably mounted on saidlevfer andvrollingly'engaging an abutment on the other member onthe large diameter, andatflleast one intermediate compound roller ,on' said leverbetween the first and second compound rolle'rs rollingly engaging the larger diameter of the'ful'crum roller'on the small diameter of the intermediate roller and rollingly engaging the small diameter or; the second compound roller onthe large diameter of the intermediate roller to transmit through such rolling engagement the load from the second-mentioned compound roller 13.; As an article of manufacture, an anti-friclarger than the other, the first of said rollers having the large diameter portion. thereof pro.- jecting from said lever for engagement with a bearing surface on one of two spaced parts, the

:second of said rollers having its large diameter portionrollingly engaging the small diameter portion of the first roller, the second roller having .thesmall diameter portion thereof rollingly engaging the large diameter portion of the third compoundroller, and the third compound roller being adapted to pivotally support the lever on the other part movable toward and away from the first part.

14. An article of manufacture as set forth in claim 13, wherein the lever is made in two parts providing spaced portions between which the rollers are rotatably mounted, each of the rollers having axial trunnions received in holes provided therefor in said spaced portions.

15. An article of manufacture as set forth in claim 13, wherein the lever is made in two parts 10 providing spaced portions between which the rollers are rotatably mounted, each of the rollers having axial trunnions received in holes provided therefor in said spaced portions, the intermediate 5 roller having the trunnions thereof of the same diameter as the small diameter portion thereof rollingly engaging the large diameter of the third roller.

KAY 

